Daily Reviews Summary 03/19/07

We have just updated both the DRAM Idle Timer and the SDRAM Idle Limit BIOS features today. This brings the BIOS Optimization Guide to over 390 BIOS features.

With better understanding of the 2 BIOS options after 4 years since they were written, both options were refined with better clarifications and more detailed explainations. Below are excerpts of both options.

"DRAM Idle Timer sets the number of idle cycles that is allowed before the memory controller forces open pages to close and precharge. It is based on the concept of temporal locality..."

"SDRAM Idle Limit sets the number of idle cycles that is allowed before the memory controller forces open pages to close and precharge. It is based on the concept of temporal locality..."

Virtual-Hideout posted a review on the OCZ Vindicator High Performance CPU Cooler

There have been a couple new CPU coolers released that are specifically aimed at dual core processors. Performance hasn't been really aggressive for the most part. Up until the Ultra-X, there wasn't a good extreme performer that could take a beating. Quad Core cooling is very limited as well, but we will get more coolers aimed especially for those. Till then, we have the OCZ Vindicator Ultra High Performance CPU Cooler which will be added to the lineup for dual cores. Join me for a look at the Vindicator and have a look to see if it's an actual Ultra Performer.

This Review will clarify if the ASRock ALiveNF6G-DVI MicroATX motherboard with onBoard GeForce 6100 graphics solution and provided HDMR DVI-D card can convince in a normal course of HTPC life, and if it is high overclockable. The first look to the equipment already shows ASRock's main focus of this inexpensive mATX motherboard ...

Razers Tarantula packs in a lot of action into it's slick frame. Aside from the blue LEDs, there are dual USB ports on the end, alongside a mic/headphone jack. For hardcore gamers, there is anti-ghosting capabilities and also macro keys.

PC Apex have a new review up on a solid case from Sunbeamtech named the Quarterback case

The interior of the case looks pretty standard, except for the vertical bar that goes in the middle of the case which suspends two 120mm fans. Under the floppy cage there is room for another 120mm fan; just in case four fans are not enough cooling. The Quarterback utilizes a screw-less design which allows you to install optical drives, hard drives, and PCI cards without the need for a screwdriver. One big feature that the case is lacking is a removable motherboard tray; however, the tool-less installation makes up for it a bit I think.

Anyone that has ever used a laptop can tell you that the little nubby thing in the middle of the keyboard just doesn't give the same level of precision as a regular old mouse. I personally like the touchpad a lot more than the little red nubby, but even then, nothing beats a conventional mouse that you can actually move around. At the same time, the last thing you want is to have countless cables sticking out of your notebook, so a wireless mouse is an absolute must. And I think we have just discovered what could be the absolute best notebook mouse out there in the Logitech VX Revolution, the laptop version of its bigger and more impressive brother, the MX Revolution.

OCIA.net takes a look at the Cooler Master CoolViva Pro in their latest review

The CoolViva features a copper base with three copper heatpipes that run the length (top to bottom) of the heatsink. The pipes cross through aluminum fins to dissipate heat. The radial fan forces air through the fins by blowing air from front to back and then out through the rear of the case using the vented riser plate. The fan shroud is not directly connected to the riser vent however and rather than forcing the hot air out the back of the case as some cooler designs allow for, the CoolViva is just blowing the air in that direction.

Thermaltake has updated the original Soprano case with the new DX version of the case. This new version addresses some issues that users experienced with the hard drive mounting system and Thermaltake has also added a few new features and new style to the case. Is this going to be the new Thermaltake case everyone wants? We will just have to see. Read on for the review!

Constructed entirely in aluminum, it comes in either a silver or black anodized finish and promises quiet cooling performance in an elegant package. It comes complete with a 7-inch LCD display, remote control and an impressive battery of software that should make building a top shelf HTPC a relatively easy task for the average enthusiast. Follow along as we take an in-depth look at the Zalman HD160XT. I think you'll be as impressed as I was with this product.

LG’s new Tri-band slider phone is called the Shine KE970, but I’m going to call it the Shine from here on in. The first thing I noted about the Shine was that it was well named. Its brushed stainless steel casing is very eye-catching. The main screen on the front of the handset at first glance looks like a mirror, which is actually a little disconcerting. When the phone’s screen isn’t active and you hold the handset up you can see yourself clearly.

You only have to look at it to see it’s no plasticky cheap job, as it glistens with quality thanks to its glossy black bezel. It even sports Philips’ Ambilight technology, whereby fluorescent tubes down the TV’s sides throw out pools of light that can be coloured in sympathy with the main colour tones of the picture. What’s more, the 50PF9631D’s Ambilight system is the ‘stereo’ incarnation, whereby different colours can be emitted from each side.

This Cell Shock DDR2 1000 2GB kit was a great memory kit to be introduced to. The memory modules that I was able to use were found to be of high quality and featured a unique design to the heat spreader. More specifically, it uses the ever popular Micron D9GKX memory IC's, is built on an 8 layer PCB and a well built heat spreader. It performed very well, in fact, very comparable to our Corsair ram that we tested against...